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[ Nicky reminds him of a cat lazing in a sunbeam he looks so content. It's good. The restlessness that claimed his husband seems to have lessened now.

Joe sheds his lightly soiled clothes and puts on clean ones. He balls up the dirty ones to shove in the suitcase. ]

Hopefully, this ferry is running on time. [ He grabs his shoes from the front and slides them back on. ] We should go see how close we are. And get some fresh air. This car makes me think of sex.

[ Nicky slides the sandals on and the sunglasses in place. With a hand shaken through his hair, he is a sun-worshipping tourist who doesn't know how to fire sniper rifles. He is the kind of man who would wear a cross-body satchel while taking selfies with his husband.

He loves being Nicky Smith, sometimes, in all his plain glory. ]

Is that a bad thing?

[ He ducks back in for his wallet and then extends an arm out for Joe, coaxing him to come crashing into his hold, eager to explore the boat tangled together and only slightly smelling of sex. ]

Never.

[ He's a bit more put together and probably wearing one of Nicky's shirt given that's a bit tight across the chest and shoulders. Perfect.

He grabs his sunglasses, steps into his husband's arms and kisses him slowly before they set off for the upper deck.

It's beautiful and sunny out on deck. Lots of tourists are taking pictures. Joe takes a deep breath of the sea air. ] We've sailed this route many times but it is still beautiful.

[ Instantly, Joe becomes that much more distracting to Nicky, as he lets his gaze slide over his shoulders and chest, making a little noise of discontent when he can only paw at him and hold him tight. Wandering up to the deck, he indulges in soft kisses, leaning against him as he watches the sea pass. ]

I prefer the old ways of sailing, but it would not get us there as quickly as I like.

[ For what he wants, Malta must come very soon. Leaning in, Nicky arranges himself behind Joe, wrapping his arms around his waist to set his chin on his shoulder so he can whisper to him. ]

You are wearing my shirt on purpose, I think, to punish me.

[ He looks over his shoulder with a playful smirk. ]

Would I do such a thing?

[ Yes, he would. ]

This is simply the first shirt I grabbed in the dark. [ It wasn't that dark in the trunk. He's clearly having fun with this, being held and flirting like they're any other tourists. ]

[ Nicky doesn't dare leave a hickey on Joe here where there are witnesses, but he does press a kiss to his neck, but there are some things to be grateful for. ]

I am glad you only took a shirt and not a tank top. If I had to see your bare shoulders and arm muscles, I might have thrown myself at your mercy on my knees.

[ He gives Joe a knowing snort that this is the one he picked by rooting around, knowing better. ]

Isn't this a nice view, dear? [ He says it loudly, for the other tourists, and then, remembering himself, he curses. ] I found something, too, when I was fetching my sunglasses.

[ He takes out the ring he'd grabbed, his ring, and presses it to Joe's hand. ] When you propose to me again, I think you will need this.

It is one of my favorite ways for you to worship me.

[ He rubs his hand over Nicky's arms which are no slouch either. They simply need to get to their hotel and get naked as quickly as possible. ]

Is that so? [ He laughs softly as he takes the ring and turns it over in his fingers. He's very tempted to propose right here but they've already established their identity as newly weds.

Joe pockets the ring for later. ] What do you think of it? Does it suit your style?

Later. I will do that later.

[ His eyes roam Joe's body, thinking it is a good thing he did not take the pants, because a size too small down there and Nicky would have shoved him into a bathroom to get his mouth on him. ]

I think it is perfect and I will be ecstatic to wear it again. It has been much too long.

[ The idea that he has a style is...well, it is very generous, that's what it is. ]

There will be many things we do later.

[ It's always been like this. They'll have sex and it won't satisfy them. The need is still there. ]

I'm waiting for the right moment. [ A romantic restaurant while they're well dressed. The right lighting. The right inspiration. He'll know the moment when it comes. ] But it is your size.

[ He brings Nicky's hand up and kisses his ring finger. ]

[ Nicky's eyes are burning with intent as he lets them roam over Joe, hoping that's a promise. His whole being yearns for it, and he will hold him to his word, there is that.

He presses constant, soft, tender, determined kisses to Joe's cheek, happier than he's been in a long time. He knows this is not the extent of the good they can do, but sometimes, he longs to be selfish. ]

I should wear it more often, now that it is more accepted. Use your name, more often.

We can wear them on this trip. It shouldn't get in the way of any fighting. Hopefully.

[ There's a fear in the back of his mind that even though Merrick is dead his security will come after them again. That doctor... she wasn't dead...

But he doesn't want that heavy thought to ruin the moment. They're in a good mood and he wants to keep that going. ]

I'll remember to introduce you as Nicky Jones then. My beloved husband of... what? Roughly eight hundred years now? Oh... Nico... I can tell people we loved each other in our past lives. [ Joe looks thrilled by this. ]

I would hate to get blood on it.

[ It's said very seriously, and his lips press together as he thinks of fighting that might be done. Had the doctor heard them speak of Malta? Will she come after them again? They're all questions that he can't answer, and he hates that.

He tightens his hold on Joe's waist, burying his face in his neck. ]

Let us say eight, to be close. [ He snorts with laughter. ] And which past life will you speak of most? The one in which I was a filthy invader, or the one where I cut a fine figure in brocade doublets?

[ It's a threat they'll deal with soon but first their own mental health and hearts. ]

We were promised to each other long before they made it legal. [ But they still immediately rushed to get married the moment it was legal. ] The Crusades is a favorite because it's the truth. Oh, I long for the days when tights were fashionable. What sweet torture that was.

[ He reaches back and pinches Nicky's ass playfully. ]

[ In Nicky's mind, he had promised himself to Yusuf the moment they lay down their weapons, and Nicky realized that his destiny was with this man. He never said it aloud, but he had vowed his soul to him, then, and now trusts in him to keep it safe. ]

I believe nowadays, they have men's running leggings. Or yoga pants? I can definitely buy a pair.

[ He laughs brightly at the pinch, thinking that it would be no hardship to wear such things with no underwear. ] Sweet torture? Or a very clear hint of every time you got me going?

[ It's amazing how being the romantic he is Joe took longer to realize his destiny was with Nicolo. They started with a truce and then after that it built. What a fool he was. ]

That depended on whether you were wearing a codpiece or not. [ He turns around in Nicky's arm because he's had enough of not seeing his smiling face and playful looks. ]

If you buy leggings or yoga pants or anything that tight fitting I will not be held responsible for my actions. It's been so long since I've seen you in properly tailored clothes.

Funny how sometimes I simply forgot.

[ Nicky brushes Joe's curls back from his face, heart aching to see him not because it hurts, but because he thinks of almost losing him and how grateful he is that it hadn't happened. He smiles with great warmth as Joe talks of his clothes. ]

I am ready to give you your wedding gift, then.

[ Well, one of them. ]

For our entire vacation, I will wear what you set out for me. No matter what.

You haven't paid attention to fashion like I have.

[ Joe leans forward and rests his forehead against Nicky's which is a gesture that holds so much meaning for them. It's a reassurance. It's a check in. It's theirs. ]

It's a lovely gift even though I plan to spend a great deal of this vacation with you naked.

[ Someone giggles to their left. Probably listening in. Joe's glad they're amused. ]

But, oh, you are going to look fantastic when we do go out.

I don't need to, you do it for me.

[ He's grinning like a madman for the touch to his forehead, a secret press meant only for them. He laughs softly at the giggle, sharing the sentiment quite the same. ]

Well, naked for bed and whatever suits me for going out, or lounging and reading the many romantic novels that can be recommended to me.

[ None will be as good as Joe's poetry, of course, but they are good to fill the time. ]

[ Joe rubs his hands up and down Nicky's back playfully almost groping his ass but stopping short. He could control himself. ]

I promise to dress you only in things you're comfortable wearing when we do go out. [ As he knows Nicky would never complain about what Joe picked for him even if he didn't like wearing it. ]

Do you want to go dancing while we're here?

I will suffer some discomfort, knowing that at the end of the night, you will peel me out of it.

[ His tone and his gaze are both flooded with an intent that he knows Joe can understand, bright and eager to go out to dinner. ]

And yes, dancing. For hours, with my cheek pressed to yours, swaying to the music.

[ He leans in and kisses him gently with an aching tenderness. ]

I'm sure we can find somewhere to dance that isn't pounding music and flashing lights if that's what you're in the mood for.

[ Because that's what it sounds like Nicky is in the mood for. Not a dance club but proper dancing like the old days. Joe feels old just thinking that way. ]

Or we could dance at home?

[ Nicky scowls at even the thought of those awful clubs, with the pounding music and the lights. He'll go to one, even spend a few hours in it, but it is nothing compared to having Joe in his arms and holding him so close they share breath.

That is the kind of dancing he wants, so he can have these kisses. (Though, it is tempting to imagine Joe in the kind of club wear children wear these days) ]

I think in public. I want the world to see the man I love, my husband, in my arms.

[ This is one of those things they don't agree on. Joe loves those clubs with the pounding music and crazy energy in the air. He's also very popular at those clubs too. ]

Then I'll find a place we can dance the night away that won't give you a headache. [ He gives him another tender kiss. ] I think plenty of people can see you in the arms of your husband quite clearly in love.

[ They are probably in the background of a few vacation photos now. Joe's sort of paying attention to who's noticed them. ]

[ Maybe Nicky will find time to compromise, knowing that there are many ways Joe can be persuasive and convince him to go anywhere with him. That is Joe's skill and his talent.

And so he knows there will be one night in a club in Malta. ]

Maybe someone that plays swing music and old classics from the 1940's. [ Says the old man. ] And I am deeply in love with my husband.

[ He tangles his fingers into his curls to kiss him again, noticing they are becoming more of a draw. ]

I think we are in many pictures by now. Andy will be mad.

We haven't danced swing in ages. [ Joe actually perks up a little bit. Clearly he likes the idea of finding some swing. ] That sounds like fun.

[ After the kiss Joe tucks Nicky against his side and starts walking around the ship to lessen some of the attention. ]

Copley will take care of it. [ The 'or else' is implied in Joe's tone. He doesn't feel particularly merciful towards the CIA agent. ] We should get something nice for both of them. Nile and Andy. They'll be working hard while we are relaxing.